Chain pipe-wrench.



No. 892,111. PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908. I

G. AMBORN. GHAlN PIPE WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILB) MAR. 8, 14907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE AMBORN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO J. H. WILLIAMS & CO., OF BROOKLYN,

NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHAIN PIPE-WRENCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE AMBORN, a citizen of the AUnited States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chain Pipe-Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chain wrenches and similar devices and aims to provide certain improvements therein.

The invention is particularly directed to that type of chain wrenches in which two laterally separated jaws are rovided, between which the chain is centra ly pivoted so tha-t either side of the wrench may be used. In this type of wrench two locking devices are generally used, which are usually constructed to engage locking pintles formed upon or carried by the chain. In the intended or normal manner of using such Wrenches the chain is locked upon the side of the wrench which is opposite the pipe. Occasionally, however, the chain'is locked upon the same side as the pipe. This changes the direction of strain materially so that the chain is very apt to slip out of engagement with the lock. This is especially true when the chain is slackened during the return stroke of the wrench for the purpose of obtaining a fresh grip upon the pipe.

According to the present invention I provide a lock which is adapted to securely hold the chain under all of the varying conditions of use, and which at the same time is adapted to be easily engaged by the chain and disengaged therefrom whenv desired.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chain pipe wrench showing the wrench in the position as normally used; Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 1 showing the wrench with its chain locked upon the same side as the pipe Fig. 3 is an elevation of the inner fa'ce of one `of the jaws removed Fig. 4 is a plan view of the Wrench partly in longitudinal section.

. In the drawings A designates the shaft or handle of the wrench which has riveted to its forward end a pair of jaws B, B which are separated laterally a sufficient distance to permit the chain C to be pivoted between them. In this form of wrench the jaws are usually provided with two working faces D, D so that the Wrench may be reversed and one or the other of such faces brought into Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed` March 8, 1907.

Patented .Tune 30, 1908.

Serial No. 361,288.

operation. Usually two locks for the chain are provided, one on each side of the wrench, in the normal or intended manner of use the chain being engaged with the lock which is upon the opposite side to the pipe.

The principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a lock which is adapted to hold the chain during all of the positions which the wrench assumes in use, and which is at the same time ca able of being easily engaged and disengaget by the chain.

Accor ling to the preferred form of my invention, the chain is formed with a series of locking pintles E which are adapted to engage a locking device or devices formed upon the handle or jaws. Such locking devices are preferably made as illustrated at F in Fig. 3, and com rise hook-like members which are adapte( to be connected to the chain by a rearward and outward movement of the latter. As shown, such members are formed on the inner sides of the jaws B, B, although they may be formed upon the handle or other part of the wrench. Each of the locks F is formed with a portion a which projects inwardly a sufficient distance to securely hold the chain when the latter is placed under a longitudinal forward stress as indicated in Fig. 1, which illustrates the ordinary method of using the wrench. The rear )ortion b of the lock is preferably extends inwardly to the plane of the handle as shown in Fig. 3. Such portion may, however, be constructed in any manner which will pre vent the rearward escape of the intle.

In order to permit the insertion of the pintle into the recess of the hook, it is desirable `to provide a recess c in the handle in front of and inwardly of the lock which is adapted to receive the end of the link, so that the intle may pass beneath the forward ends of tiie locks. To prevent the link which is engaged from dropping inwardly when the wrench is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the portions a of the locks are preferably extended rearwardly to a slight degree. Beyond the recess c in a forward direction the handle retains its full thickness, so that the chain tends to maintain the position shown in Fig. 1, the link which carries the pintle engaged by the lock lying in a direction approximately paralleling the handle. The chain in front of the handle tends to maintain the pintle in engagement with the lock; .this ellect is obtained to a much greater degree when the chain is placed under a forward longitudinal stress in use. In locking the chain one of its pintles is moved rearwardly beneath the lock, and then outwardly into engagement therewith.

In the use of a chain wrench, the wrench is applied to the pipe or other object in many di ferent positions. Occasionally it is used with the chain locked upon the same side of the wrench as the pipe. This manner of use is illustrated in Fig. 2. In this osition the direction of the chain is change materially from the direction indicated in Fig. l. The lock, however7 is so constructed that it positively engages the locking pintle of the chain in this position. The wrench is also frequently used in a vertical position either with its aws extended upwardly.or downwardly. In none of these positions is there a tendency to unlock the chain either on the forward turn of the wrench or on the return movement to regrip the pipe; rIhis is true whether the chain is locked upon the same side as the pipej or on the opposite side. It will furthermore be observed that there is no tendency for the weight of the free end of the chain to unlock the latter when the chain is slackened for any purpose. This tendency had been one of the chief defects of several of the well known wrenches now in use, and has constituted a source of danger especially in overhead work on scalfolds or the like. In constructing wrenches of this class it has heretofore been found desirable to extend the handle to a point beyond the central pivot of the chain in order to obtain a secure connection between the jaws and handle. This has required that the handle be formed with a long slot to receive the first link of the chain. This construction has involved the use of deep grooves in the j aws, in order to permit the use of sufficiently thick 'metal in the handle on each side of its slot.

According to my resent invention I form the jaws with thic ened rear portions in which the grooves are formed either wholly or partially by a suitable shaping or grooving tool, the groove being so shallow that it eX- tends no further into the metal than the general plane of the inner side of the jaw. This construction is best seen in Fig. 4. By this means the tool can be passed completely across the jaw, moving out of the groove at the end of the thickened portion, and passing idly across the remainder of the jaw. In its complete form the jaw is in effect provided with two ribs d, d, forming between them the groove f, the bottom of which preferably lies in the plane of the inner side of the aw as shown. This construction also 'enables me to connect the parts by the use of a single rivet g, a desirable feature not heretofore attained.

In order to obtain as long a connection as e5 possible between the handle and the jaws without increasing the length of the latter, I prefer to form the pivot or in h with a forwardly projecting eye whic corresponds to the rst link of the chain as heretofore used. The eye j is formed on one side only of the pivot, so that the handle may be brought close to the pivot as shown in Fig. 4. This feature' of my invention provides an eX- tremely strong and simple connection between the handle and jaws, and materially chea ens the construction 'of the wrench. By tting the pivot h in sockets as shown in Fig. 4, a further gain in economy is produced, since the pivot maintains its position without the necessity of an additional bolt such as is now used.

It will be understood while I have illustrated my invention as applied to a doublel jawed wrench having a centrally pivoted chain, that it is applicable to other constructions of chain wrench, and also to other devices of similar character. It will be also understood that instead of providing the chain with locking pintles and the jaws with locking members, this construction may be reversed or otherwise suitably modified while still retaining the advantages of this feature of`my invention. Other ,changes may also be made in the construction herein described without de arting from the invention.

I/Vhat I cl)aim is l. In a chain wrench, the combination of a jaw, a chain, and a locking means for said chain, said means comprising engaging members on the chain and wrench adapted to be connected by a rearward and outward movement of the chain.

2. In a chain wrench, the combination of a jaw7 a chain and a lock for said chain, said lock comprising a hook-like member connected with the jaw, said member opening inwardly and forwardly and adapted to engage a part of the chain.

3. In a chain wrench, the combination of a jaw, a chain having locking pintles7 and a lock for said chain adapted to engage such pintles7 said lock comprising a forwardly turned hook-like member the front end of which is turned inwardly sufficiently to prevent disengagement of the chain when the latter is placed under a longitudinal forward stress in use.

4. In a chain wrench, the combination of a j aw, a chain having locking pintles, and a lock for said chain adapted to engage such pintles, said lock comprising a forwardly turned hook-like member the front end of which is turned inwardly sufficiently to prevent disengagement of the chain when the latter is placed under a longitudinal forward stress in use, said wrench having a recess to receive the chain link when the pintles are entering into engagement with said lock.

- 5. In a chain wrench, the combination of a handle or shank, two jaws arranged on ophandle or shank, and two jaws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, each of said jaws having a groove adapted to receive such handle, said groove being of such depth that it does not extend into the metal beyond the plane of the inner side of the jaw, a chain centrally pivoted between such jaws, said handle terminating at the rear of the pivot pin of said chain, and a rivet passing through said aws and handle.

7. In a chain wrench, the combination of a handle or shank, two jaws arranged on op osite sides of said handle, and a chain centra ly pivoted between such jaws, said handle terminating at the rear of the pivot of such chain whereby slotting of the handle is avoided.

8. In a chain wrench, the combination of a handle or shank, and two aws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, a chain, and means for pivoting such chain comprising a pivot pin having an eye to which said chain 1s attached extending from one side thereof, said eye being arranged wholl on one side of said pin, whereby the hand e may be extended close to the latter.

9. In a chain wrench, the combination of a handle orshank, and two jaws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, each of said jaws having a groove adapted to receive such handle, said groove being of such depth that it does not extend into the metal beyond the plane of the inner side of the jaw, and a chain pivoted between such jaws, said handle terminating at the rear of the ivot of such chain, whereby slotting of t e handle is avoided. 4

10. In a chain wrench, the combinationof a handle or shank, and two jaws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, each of said jaws having a groove adapted to receive such handle, said groove being of such depth that it does not extend into the metal beyond the plane of the inner side of the jaws, a chain, and a pivot for said chain, said jaws being formed with recesses in which the ends of said pivot are mounted.

11. In a chain wrench, the combination of a handle or shank, and two jaws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, each of said 'aws havin a groove adapted to receive such andle, sai groove being of such depth that it does not extend into the metal beyond the plane of the inner side of the jaws, a chain, and a pivot for said chain, said jaws being formed with recesses in which the ends of said pivot are mounted, and said handle terminating at the rear of said pivot.

12. In a chain wrench the combination of a handle or shank, two jaws arranged on opposite sides of said handle, and a chain pivoted between such jaws, said Vjaws being formed with sockets ada ted to receive the pivot of such chain, suc sockets being of ess depth than the thickness of the jaws so that the pivot is held against endwise movements.

In witness whereof,I I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE AMBORN, 

